IG seeks action against juvenile crimes

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for urgent and comprehensive action to address the rising tide of crimes involving juveniles in the country.

According to him, their involvement in criminal activities has devastated communities across the nation.

Speaking at the inauguration of the steering committee on the implementation and execution of the annual IG conference on juvenile crime prevention and control project in Abuja on Friday, Egbetokun said efforts must be made to address the root cause of the problem which he said stemmed from the family.

Represented by the Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Mohammed Dankwara, Egbetokun said, “I am delighted to inform you that the Inspector-General of Police and his team acknowledge the devastating effect or impact of crimes and offences that are being perpetrated by young people, call them teenagers, juveniles or adolescents, on our communities across the country.

“The IG recognises the urgent need for a comprehensive approach, as well as concerted efforts and commitments towards addressing the root causes of behavioural problems of young people.

“There is a consensus among family and child development experts that the cause of juvenile offences is the family. Hence, the solution to the problem can be found in the family, too.

“Hence, he has graciously given his express approvals for this partnership between the Centre for Family Peace, a Non-Governmental Organisation and the Nigeria Police Force to enable us to join forces in tackling this national challenge to help steer young people from the path of crime and criminality.”

The Executive Director and Founder of the Centre for Family Peace, Chinedum Ikogwe, said the project was born out of the need to address the challenges of crime and criminality among juveniles.

Ikogwe blamed the rising crime rate among juveniles on the failure of parents to dedicate time to the upbringing of their wards.

He said the project will be taken to the 36 states of the federation.